Artillery fire kills 12 in Donetsk

Artillery fire in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk has killed at least 12 civilians as the fighting between pro-Russia separatists and government troops intensifies.

Donetsk city hall says five people were killed early on Friday afternoon as they were waiting for humanitarian aid outside a community centre and two people were killed when a mortar shell landed near a bust stop.

Five other people died in sporadic artillery fire in the west of Donetsk.

Full-blown fighting between the rebels and government forces erupted anew earlier this month following a period of relative tranquillity.

Hostilities now seem to be focused around Debaltseve, a railway hub which could prove a crucial link between the rebels in Donetsk and in Luhansk.